Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli is a research foundation and library on Viale Pasubio in Milan. Its calm study spaces, book collection and free access make it a useful stop for reading or working, while the fifth-floor view is a reason to stay into the evening. The building, designed by Herzog & de Meuron, pairs glass, steel and concrete in a distinctive modern form. There is also a cafeteria and bookshop, and the foundation hosts workshops and events.
A building shaped by its site
The foundation’s headquarters was designed by Herzog & de Meuron and consists of two long, sloping structures. Their pitched roofs and angular edges give the buildings a greenhouse-like outline. Glass, steel and concrete define the exterior, while the concrete shell continues the architectural character inside.
The site was once a nursery. The design draws on the form of Milan’s historic farmsteads, known as cascine, linking the new buildings to an earlier use of the land. The neighboring structure is the Italian headquarters of Microsoft.
Library, archive and event spaces
The foundation is a non-academic research organization. Its buildings contain a library, archives and spaces for its work, alongside a cafeteria. The library is used for reading and study, and the foundation also holds workshops and events.
A bookshop and cafeteria are on the first floor, while the second floor has an auditorium used for film screenings. These spaces make the building useful beyond the reading areas, though the cafeteria’s food selection is limited.
FAQ
Is Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli free to enter?
Access is free.
Where is Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli?
It is at Viale Pasubio, 5, in Milan.
What can you do at Fondazione Giangiacomo Feltrinelli?
You can use the library for reading or study, visit the bookshop and cafeteria, and check for workshops or events.
What is the building known for?
Herzog & de Meuron designed its pair of sloping structures in glass, steel and concrete. The design takes inspiration from Milan’s historic cascine and the nursery that previously occupied the site.
